When asked about Kennedy at a Wicked Local editorial board meeting on Oct. 12, Bielat branded his Democratic opponent, the grandson of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, as an unqualified first-timer who has been strategically avoiding debates and is relying on name recognition and paid advertising to cover up a "thin track record."

"If it weren’t for his last name, no one would take a 32-year-old candidate with two and a half years work experience in this district as a serious candidate for Congress," he said.

"He’s got the name ID and a ton of money. The way he’s going to get out there is by dropping a lot of money on TV through paid advertising," said Bielat. "I get it from a strategic perspective. Why go out there and take a risk?"

Kennedy agreed to a Sept. 30 debate on Channel 5 WCVB; an Oct. 10 debate in Fall River, hosted by MassINC and CommonWealth Magazine; and an Oct. 15 debate at Wellesley College, sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

Kennedy also agreed to a fourth, 15-minute debate on Oct. 24 on WFXT-TV (Fox 25) that aired during the channel’s 7 a.m. show.

Bielat said he was not satisfied with the program’s early hour and short length.

"Kennedy is not ready for primetime, literally and figuratively," said Bielat. "If he’s going to run on this thin a resume, he owes it to voters to talk about what he believes in. The things that he does do are almost directly off the Democratic talking points. There’s not a whole lot there."

Bielat reiterated his platform to Wicked Local staff members. Some of his positions at a glance: Bielat supports gradual increases in the age requirement for Social Security, the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, a strong national defense and aspects of Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan’s plan for Medicare. Bielat opposes Obama’s health care plan, Roe v. Wade, the Dream Act and much of the platform of Barney Frank, whom Bielat ran against and lost to in 2010.

Bielat said another fundamental difference between him and Kennedy was that Kennedy was more entrenched in his political party.

"I don’t feel indebted in Republican leadership. When you think Kennedy, you think of an establishment brand," he said.

Bielat and Kennedy both agree that something needs to be done to rescue a failing economy, reduce gaps in the federal deficit and create more jobs. However, Bielat said he focuses on market principals for solutions whenever possible.

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He also believes the power of the federal government should be reduced.

"States and local governments can come up with better solutions than the federal government’s one-size-fits-all approach," he said.

When asked if he in any way resembles a "Scott Brown Republican" who tries to reach across the aisle and vote independently, Bielat said, "I don’t really think of it in group terms. I try to be clear on policies, and more often I fall on the side of Republicans."

Bielat admitted that he faces an uphill battle against Kennedy, a fundraising powerhouse who has raised more than $3.7 million by the end of September compared to Bielat’s paltry $780,000, according to Federal Election Commission reports.

Bielat said he’d like to see limits put on campaign contributions in future elections, saying the solution could be to ensure parity among candidates instead.

"I believe challengers should have a more level playing field," he said.